Microsoft to lessen reliance on OpenAI by buying AI from rival Anthropic

Microsoft will pay to use Anthropic’s AI in Office 365 Apps, The information Reports, referring to two sources. The move means that the technology of Anthropic will help new functions in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint next to OpenAIs, so that the end of Microsoft’s earlier dependence is marked exclusively on the chatgpt maker for his productivity suite.

The step of Microsoft to diversify his AI partnerships comes in the midst of a growing gap with OpenAI, who has pursued his own infrastructure projects and a potential LinkedIn competitor.

Microsoft’s anthropic deal also comes when the company negotiates a new deal with OpenAi to gain access to its AI models after a pending restructuring with profit. But the information says that the relocation is not negotiating tactics. Microsoft leaders believe that the newest models of Anthropic – Claude Sonnet 4, specifically – perform better than OpenAIs in certain functions, such as creating aesthetically pleasant PowerPoint presentations.

In the meantime, OpenAi is also trying to get out under the influence of Microsoft. Last week, OpenAi launched a job platform to compete against Microsoft’s LinkedIn; And the Financial Times reported that OpenAi will start mass production On its first AI chips in collaboration with Broadcom in 2026. That means it will be able to follow training and inference on hardware that controls it, instead of being dependent on the Azure setup of Microsoft.

WAN has reached Microsoft and Anthropic for comment.